A new life insurance policy had activated just four days earlier. Investigators didn't need long to find their answer.
Gary Wayne Bentley, an electrician from Louisville, Kentucky, was found shot to death in his bed on December 10, 2017. His wife, Tasha Bentley, was later convicted of orchestrating his murder.
A Family Life
Gary and Tasha met in 2006, dated for six years, and married in September 2012. They had a son together shortly after their wedding. Family members described Gary as an easygoing, devoted father who took an active role in raising their child, in contrast to Tasha, a nurse described as more assertive and image-conscious, who often spent time away from home with friends.
Discovery
On December 10, 2017, Tasha contacted Gary's father, Gerald, saying she couldn't reach Gary and was afraid to enter the house after finding the garage door open. Gerald went to check and found Gary shot in the back of the head while lying in bed. There was no sign of forced entry, a single shell casing was found near the body, and Gary's firearms were missing from the home's safe.
Investigation
Investigators quickly suspected the killer was someone familiar to the household, noting the family dogs likely wouldn't have reacted calmly to a stranger. Detectives learned the couple's marriage had been strained, particularly after Tasha lost her job in 2016, and that she had recently begun planning to leave Gary for another man she'd met at work.
The investigation's turning point came when Tasha's best friend contacted police with information about the affair and Tasha's plans to move out. Detectives also discovered Tasha had taken out a $1 million life insurance policy on Gary, activated just four days before his murder, using his electronically forged signature to authorize it.
Conviction and Sentencing
Confronted with this evidence, Tasha admitted her guilt and pleaded guilty to murdering her husband in July 2021. She was sentenced to 55 years in prison and is currently incarcerated at the Kentucky Correctional Institute for Women. Her earliest possible parole date is 2037, with her full sentence not concluding until 2072.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was anyone else charged in Gary Bentley's murder?
Publicly available reporting on the case centers on Tasha Bentley's guilty plea; no other individuals have been reported as charged.
What led investigators to Tasha Bentley?
A tip about her affair and plans to leave Gary, combined with a $1 million life insurance policy activated just days before the murder using a forged signature.
How long is Tasha Bentley's sentence?
55 years, with an earliest possible parole date of 2037.